SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba – Nimba has advanced to the next stage of the 2016-2017 National County Sports Meet after finishing as leaders of Group B at the Sanniquellie Sports Field, defeating Sinoe 3-0.

Thanks to three fantastic goals from Nyahn Dahn, Nimba now has a clear ticket to the knockout round in Monrovia.

It was a disappointing start for the boys of Nimba after seeing themselves coming from behind twice to settle for a 2-2 draw with Montserrado on Sunday during their opening match.

Nimba head coach Muta Fofana had told reporters after their questionable opening match that his team would triumph in remaining matches and he fulfilled his promise.

Nimba grabbed a 2-0 win over River Cess on Tuesday, and followed with a 3-0 win over Sinoe on Thursday, placing the team on top of Group B, with 7 points.

Montserrado will also accompany Nimba to the knock-out rounds in Monrovia, after finishing behind Nimba with 3 points from three games.

Fofana said he was not surprised that his team qualified for the knock-out stage because he was certain that his boys were ready.

He attributed the teams’ success to the fact that the county’s administration has been addressing the needs of the players in terms of providing timely compensation to them.

He also praised the Nimba fans and promised more: “We want to offer to all Nimbaians that everything in Monrovia will be extra from what they have seen here today.”

Sending a warning signal to his counterparts, Fofana said, “I am not a coach that can be deterred by any county. If we can beat Sinoe County 3-0; then Nimba County is not a small county. If you are coming against Nimba, you must prepare yourself well.”

Both Nimba’s kickball and football teams qualified for the next round of the competition.

Teams in the kickball category that have booked their ticket to the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia include Bong, Montserrado, Maryland, Nimba, River-Gee, Grand Bass, Grand Cape Mount, and Lofa. Nimba, Montserrado, Maryland, River-Gee, Grand Bassa and Grand Cape mount Counties are all set to make a part of the big eight in the football category of the knock-out stages.

Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley, Jr.